Health Organization (WHO) figures estimates that
7% of world population is carrier for hemoglobin
disorders1
. Population screening has identified the
prevalence of β-thalassemia carrier status as high as
17% in certain communities in India2
. Among the
inherited disorders of blood, haemoglobinopathy and
thalassemia constitute a major bulk of noncommunicable
genetic diseases in India. They cause
a high degree of morbidity, moderate to severe
haemolytic anaemia among vulnerable segments of
the society like infants and children, adolescent girls,
pregnant women, etc. and several deaths in India3